News

New Cyber-shot Digital Camera HX50V – DSC-HX50V/B

Sony just introduced a new High Zoom Ultra Compact Cyber-shot camera called the HX50v!! The DSC-HX50V/B appears to have the same exact 20.4MP 1/2.3″ Exmor R® CMOS sensor, as the DSC-HX300 I just reviewed Here >>. Based on that review, it’s pretty clear that this camera will have solid image quality even though the sensor pixel density is pretty extreme and more than I think is necessary in the real world. The ~20MP images do allow for significant cropping options in post production which can often be helpful though and is worth noting.

The HX50V is packing a 30x zoom lens from the Sony G series which works out to an effective 24-720mm zoom range in the 35mm format that we are all used to. also featuring 3-way image stabilization, the HX50v should produce sharp shots hand-held at 30x in my opinion.

Overview courtesy of BHPhoto:

The Cyber-shot HX50V Digital Camera from Sony is a compact camera with a 20.4MP BSI Exmor R CMOS Sensor and a powerful 30x optical zoom lens. In combination with the BIONZ image processor, the 20.4MP CMOS sensor provides sharp imaging and fast autofocus speeds. The Sony G 30x optical zoom lens has a 35mm format focal length equivalency of 24-720mm which means its powerful zoom covers a full range of shooting situations from true wide angle to ultra-telephoto. In addition, the BIONZ image processor creates Clear Image Digital Zoom which allows you to double the optical zoom range for extreme close-ups and distant image capture.

The HX50V also supports Full HD 1080p video capture in the AVCHD format. This is high grade video resolution that allows smooth recording of moving subjects and, combined with the long zoom lens, is a potent movie maker in such a compact body. Smaller video resolutions are also provided in M4 format for easier playback on computers and portable devices. In both still and video modes, the HX50V provides optical image stabilization. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization reduces shake and blur by countering camera movements in both horizontal and vertical directions when shooting photo and Active 3-way stabilization adds digital rolling control to counter clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation, resulting in more stable videos even at long focal lengths.

Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to instantly transfer images from your camera to your computer, smartphone or tablet. With the free Sony PlayMemories App you can also use your smartphone as a remote control and viewer and directly send images to social media sites.

The high-performance capabilities of the HX50V include fast continuous shooting of up to 10 fps in full resolution, full manual exposure with P/A/S/M modes and a dedicated exposure compensation dial. The camera also features a multi-interface hot shoe for attaching accessories such as an external flash or electronic viewfinder. Of course, the HX50V is also very manageable as a point-and-shoot, with Intelligent Auto to make picture taking easy and other assistive modes such as Background Defocus, Face Detection and Scene Modes such as Gourmet, to automatically adjust the camera’s settings for a particular kind of subject. A pop-up flash is built-in and several Picture Effects let you add creative touches to your images.

Sony Cyber-shot HX50V

Sony DSC-HX50V/B Features

Take hold of the textured grip and capture your next adventure with ultra-sharp precision. The DSC-HX50V/B compact, 20.4MP Cyber-shot® camera features an impressive 30x optical zoom that makes actions shots appear clearer thanks to advanced 3-way image stabilization. You also get full manual control for more creative shots and 1080/60p movie recording for smoother footage. You can even map your memories with built-in GPS tagging and accessorize with a wide variety of available extras.

30x optical zoom plus 60x Clear Image Digital Zoom

Get super close with 30x optical zoom plus 60x Clear Image digital zoom. Most digital zooms use electronic cropping to get closer to the subject, resulting in unsharp images. With Clear Image Zoom the powerful processor compares patterns found in adjacent pixels and creates new pixels to match selected patterns, resulting in more realistic, higher-quality images. Clear Image Zoom doubles optical zoom for closer photos.

Full HD 1080/60p

Record crystal clear movies at the highest resolution available with capabilities for 60p in 1080 AVCHD™ video.¹ This provides stunning, fast motion video with less distortion for playback on your HD TV.2 With dual record of stills and movies, you can shoot both at the same time.

20.4 Megapixel Back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS Image Sensor

This camera features a 20.4 megapixel Exmor® R CMOS image sensor that brings out the full resolving power of the camera’s Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens to deliver extremely fast speed, high resolution, and stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain.

Capture the decisive moment with up to 10fps

Capture full 20.4 megapixel resolution images at up to 10 frames per second, helping to ensure that the decisive moment is captured such as the soccer ball flying into the goal. In addition, a mechanical shutter helps reduce distortion when continuously shooting moving subjects.

Optical SteadyShot® image stabilization

Optical SteadyShot® image stabilization reduces shake and blur by countering camera movements in both horizontal and vertical directions.³ Active 3-Way stabilization adds digital rolling control that counters clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation, resulting in more stable videos even at long focal lengths.

Closing Remarks:

That is it for now, but new gear should be on the way soon as well as the Rokinon Lens reviews I keep teasing you with. Sorry about that as I want to get them done asap, but the news is too good not to share. Plus I only have a few hours a day tops to do this stuff 😉 Catch up with you later, and please feel free to comment or ask questions below!

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This is clearly not the camera for you!! Not sure who exactly Sony is marketing to, but the sales #’s will ultimately determine that in the end. I personally love the movie features, but can totally understand just wanting a basic camera 😉

Hello Richard,
I do not understand your problem. Who is forcing you to buy this camera? If you don’t want superb movie capability, you do not have to buy it. There are many good cameras on the market, that do not have movie capability, that may suit your needs better.

Thanks Jay for good info – I ended up buying the HX50V – So briefly here is my input – It is a very nice point and shoot for the average to novice user.
Nice for family’s – fast in focus and easy to use – Image quality is fine as long as one does not boost ISO higher than 800 – I guess some images at 1600 could be usable but depends on what the image is off.
Of course the highlight is the Super Zoom at 30X – it is amazing – and I am quite impressed with the IS – though it gets a bit hard to stay steady at 30X – but by leaning up against something etc. and given that there is decent light so ISO below 800 or 400 and in say the Super Auto Mode where the camera takes few images and overlays them to come out with the sharpest and best image the results are pretty good.
For budget minded family’s and individuals that do not need the 30X Zoom then there are other much cheaper cameras that will give similar IQ – like the Panasonic Lumix LX7 which has a much faster lens and is about $100 cheaper –
But I think many family’s will fork out the extra dollars to get that extra zoom like for outings at the park and zoo’s etc.
So even though I think Sony is always a bit more money in this case I think they are not to far off from a realistic price given the super zoom lens and also that it has WIFI and GPS –
Personally I was disappointed in not having RAW and seeing the very trimmed down menu system compared to my Sony RX100 – I just can’t figure out that a camera that is in the same Cyber Shot family has to have a totally different menu layout ! I guess this camera is mainly attended for the mainstream user that only used the auto mode and JPG so I guess I can understand Sony – but still this is more of a premium camera.
The fact is that most people are brand loyal to a great extent so when they upgrade they have to get used to a new menu – it is like if Apple had a totally different user interface on their Mac Book Air vs their Mac Book Pro – makes no sense – I like how some of the other manufacturers like Canon and Fuji and Olympus and Pentax utilize the same menu layout in most of their cameras – even the button layout has to be different from the RX100 – why?
Also it does not have the same picture affects as the RX100 – why?
So not the same fun factor as the RX100 to use or at least for more advanced users.

So in my summary

PRO: A well made super super zoom at 30x that fits in the pocket nicely – has very good IS and IQ is good in good light or ISO 800 and below – video is also very nice – easy to operate – has WIFI and GPS

Excellent info and read John, thank you 🙂 I was debating on reviewing the HX50V, but feel it’s more important to go for the RX1 and SLT-A99 first. If I have time after those, then I will do some other high end cyber-shots or possible some other mirrorless camera competition??

Thanks again for the detailed info on the camera and real world practicality to your explanation. Seems like a great alternative to the hx300v as far as size is concerned.